The joint boy’s hockey team of Stamford High School and Westhill High School faced off against local rivals the Darien Blue Wave Sunday January 16 at the Terry Conners rink in Stamford. After an exciting defeat of Greenwich by the Stamford/Westhill/Staples girls hockey team right before, energy (and expectations) were high, but the team was defeated in the end. The stands were packed with excited fans decked out in white to show their support.

The game started swiftly, with Darien scoring four goals in the first period, leaving Stamford with lots of catching up to do. Regardless of if Stamford was winning, the fans remained dynamic with lots of cheering, photo-ops, and high hopes.

By the second period, Darien scored yet another goal which was quickly followed by Stamford’s first goal of the night. Sophomore Ethan Carvalho’s goal was met with cheers and celebrations, but it soon became clear that would be the last goal of the night.

The third period was scoreless for both teams, leaving Darien victorious in this 5-1 game. Even if this game was not their best, the joint Stamford team is still above .500 with a 4-2 record this season, leaving them first in their FCIAC division.

According to sophomore and team member Tomas Zaleski, “[the team] played a good game, but we were just out skilled… but I think we put up a good fight.” And that’s true, the team played with high energy throughout the game regardless of the score. Zaleski said, “I think we’re going to have a good [rest of the] season; we’ve already beaten a few teams that we thought we might not and I think we’re going to do well.”

While the game might not have brought home yet another win to Stamford, it still was important to the community. Before the game started, there was a one-minute moment of silence for Teddy Balkind, a local high school hockey player who recently passed away due to an injury incurred during a recent hockey game at Brunswick School in Greenwich. His number, 5, was displayed on the scoreboards as well. Recently, the team has been collecting teddy bears at their home games in honor of Balkind, and will continue through the end of January. All of the teddy bears will be distributed to children in need throughout Fairfield County in his honor.